Train Toybox

Difficulty

Beginner Projects

Build a train toybox from 1/2 sheet of plywood! Looking for a cute train toy box? These toy box plans are easy to build and include diagrams, cut list and shopping list.

With the Christmas season almost officially here, wanted to add some more toyboxes to our plan catalog. This one is special because it's roomy, cute, easy to personalize, and can be made from a half sheet of plywood!

Dimensions

Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

1/2 sheet 3/4" hardwood plywood (shown in PureBond Formaldehyde Free White Oak)

1 - 1/2" dowel, 36" long

Use either nails and glue, pocket holes, or screws to assemble.

Common Materials

2 inch screws

1 1/4 inch finish nails

2 inch finish nails

1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws

Elmer's Wood Glue

Elmer's Wood Filler

120 grit sandpaper

primer

paint

paint brush

Cut List

3 - 3/4" Plywood @ 15 3/4" x 32"
2 - 3/4" Plywood @ 15 3/4" x 12"
4 - 3/4" Plywood @ 3" x 12"

Cutting Instructions

See diagram in step 1.

Tools

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

If your hardware store is so kind, have them at least make the initial rip cuts, ripping the plywood into pieces measuring 32" x 48", 12" x 48" and 3" x 48". From there, it's all cross cuts.

Step 2

Handles can be cut before or after assembly. Attach sides to bottoms, you can use your favorite fastening method, don't forget the glue.

Step 3

Cut sides out as shown above. Use a jigsaw and sand edges. Save scrap to use as a pattern for cutting remaining sides out, considerate of what side of the line you should cut. Make sure cut edges match.

NOT PICTURED: Attach sides to the toy box with finish nails and glue or pocket hole screws or 2" screws and glue.

Step 4

Round edges of bottom boards to match the cut edges for the sides as shown in diagram. Attach backs to sides using 1 1/4" finish nails and glue. Also attach to bottom, either through bottom of toybox or using pocket holes.

Step 5

Now just cut wheels with jigsaw from scraps. You can use a hole saw kit, but this may leave a hole in the center, depending on how your hole saw kit works. Easy enough to patch with wood filler.

I personally would make the wheels fixed. If you want the toybox to roll, the better method is to add caster wheels behind the wood wheels, blocked so the toybox sits just above the ground (far enough above that it can roll on carpet, but not too far so the train doesn't look like it's floating).

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions

Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Project Type

Toy box Plans

Room

Kids and Toys

Nursery and Baby

Style

Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

Amanda R (not verified)

Tue, 11/22/2011 - 12:01

I can't believe I didn't

I can't believe I didn't think of this! I've been wanting to create rolling toy bins for below our kids' train/sand table that my husband and I made last Christmas. These will go perfectly! Thank you!

Anabel (not verified)

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 11:21

This is great, i have found a

This is great, i have found a project similar to this at a donate car USA convention but i forgot to ask about it more details.I'll try to make your design and i was wondering if it could carry some toys.I would like my sons to put their toys there and then carry it around the house this way they do some movement too.